Diaphragm for car-vestibules or the like.



Patented Oei. 7, |902.

l H. H. scnnoven. DIAPHBAGM F03 CAR VESTIBvULES 0B THE LIKE.

(Application tiled Apr. 20, 1901.)

(No Model.)

@Nieren :Ramsar @erica IIARRY Il. SCI'IROYER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND INIESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO IIIMSELF, JAMES II. DONALDSON, AND E. J. TARD COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

DIAPHRAGM FO AR\!ESTIBULES OR THE LIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters atent No. 710,924, dated October 7, 1902.

Application filed April ZO, 1901. Serial No. 56,794. (No model.)

To al?, whom t mfr/.y concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY H. Sensoren, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Diaphragme for Car-Vestibules or the Like; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to io the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in diaphragms for car-vestibules or the like. Heretofore in devices of this class the material of which the diaphragm is constructed has been folded in accordion-plaits and secured by its edges to the car and to the diaphragm faceplate. Owingtothesamebeingunderalmost 2o constant tension, subjected to constant vibration and the action of atmospheric moisture and gases, the same, if of rubber, is shortlived, frequently breaking adjacent to the bend or fold. Cinders or sparks falling on top of the flexible hood or canopy commonly used burn holes therethrough and permit dirt and moisture to nd lodgment in the angles in the top of the diaphragm. The object of this invention is to provide a construction 3o of great strength and durability readily attached to the car and face-plate and provided with means for preventing dirt or moisture finding its Way into the angles between the plaits. A construction embodying myinvention While more pleasing to the eye is at the same time much cheaper and far more durable.

The invention consists of the matters hereinafter described, and more fully pointed out 4o and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is afragmentary vertical section of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail illustrating the manner of attaching the auxiliary hood. Fig. 4. is a fragmentary perspective view.

As shown in'said drawings, said diaphragm is constructed of a plurality of strips A, of

fabric, such as cotton-belting or other suit- 5o able material, of awidth approximately equal to the width of the diaphragm-folds and of a length and form sufficient that each strip extends across the top and down each side of the complete diaphragm. A sufficient number of said strips are imposed one upon the other, and the corresponding edges of adjacent strips are rigidly secured together in pairs by means of rivets or the like, thereby forming a plurality of accordion-plaits, which When opened present the appearance as in 6o dicated in Figs. 2 and 4..

For the purpose of affording a desirable finish and also to prevent cinders, dirt, or moisture finding lodgment betwee-n the strips a fold of material (indicated by o) is secured to cover the meeting edges, and the rivets wherewith the saine are secured together pass therethrough, as indicated in Fig. 3. Obviously said covering may be of any desired material, such as leather or waterproof fabric. 7o Preferably, however, a metallic band bent to suitable form is secured on said angles, as before described.

Usually in constructions of the class described a hood of exible Waterproof mate rial (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2) is secured on the vestibule-hood and on the diaphragm face-plate B for the purpose of shedn ding dirt, atmospheric moisture, and dust, sparks, or cinders from the diaphragm. 8o Said material usually soon becomes apertured by sparks and cindersfalling thereon and fails to perform its office. As a further improvement I have provided supplement-al hoods C in each fold at the -top of the diaphragm. The outer ends of said auxiliary or supplemental hoods inclinedownwardly and beyond the inner meeting edges of the strips A at each side of the diaphragm, as indicated in Figs. l and 4, and the edges thereof are 9o permanently secured at the top of the diaphragm Within the channels or coveringsC and secured therein and to the upper edges of the strips A by the rivets a', as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. Said auxiliary hoods are 95 preferably much thinner than the strips A of which the diaphragm proper is composed and may be constructed of any desired Water and fire proof material, such as prepared canvas,

coated rubber fabric, or the like. 10o

Obviouslyfrom the construction described While the iexible hood ordinarily used with diaphragms of the class described may be dispensed with the same will preferably be retained as heretofore, in which case the auxiliary hood acts to catch all moisture, dirt, or refuse finding its Way through said hood and owing to its inclination discharges the same therefrom clear of the diaphragm.

Obviously diaphragme embodying my invention may be constructed, if preferred, of soft-steel plates or sheets of other metal and whatever the material may be very quickly applied tov a car by riveting or bolting the edges at each end thereof to the face-plates, in which instance said edges may be covered With an angle-strip of metal c, rigidly secured on the face-plate and diaphragm by means of rivets or bolts which pass therethrough and act to bind the same rigidly together.

Obviously many features of construction may be varied Without departing from the principle of my invention.

I claim as my invention l. A diaphragm comprising a plurality of strips of fabric placed one upon the other, the opposite edges of each strip being permanently secured in pairs to the edges of the adjacent strips and a reinforcing-cover of metal on each outer seam secured thereto by rivets passing through said covering and through both strips.

2. As an article of manufacture a diaphragm comprising a plurality of strips of fabric superposed and having the opposite edges united in pairs with adjacent strips and a longitudinal stay comprising a channel of metal reinforcing the same at said meeting edges of said strips and covering the angle thereof rigidly secured thereto by rivets or like means.

3. A car-vestibule diaphragm constructed of a plurality of superposed strips each adapted to extend along the top and sides of the vestibule, a reinforcing-strip engaging and covering the corresponding edges of adjacent strips and secured thereon by means of rivets or the like and an auxiliary hood secured at the top between adjacent strips and having its edges secured beneath said cover or reinforcing-strip.

et. In a diaphragm for car-vestibules, the combination With a plurality of strips superposed and adapted to extend across the top and down each side of the vestibule and having the opposite edges secured together in pairs With an adjacent strip, of an auxiliary hood secured across the top of the diaphragm between adjacent strips and having its edges secured at the upper meeting edges thereof, the ends of said auxiliary hood being downwardly inclined and extending beyond the inner meeting edges of the strips.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

HARRY I-I. SCHROYER.

In presence of- G. W. HILLS, R. T. SMITH. 

